I know there’s probably tons of threads on Tripods. But I’m just starting to look for a decent tripod. I have a Prima Photo Travel Tripod,, which I got for vacation(mainly Walt Disney World). I have a Nikon D7500, Tokina 11-16, Nikon 16-80 and 70-300. I might invest in something like a 150-500mm. I’d like to keep my budget around $300, if at all possible for a tripod? Any advice and recommendations? BTW, I don’t really know about tripods, at least what I need to be considering
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Tripods
- Thread starter Labmom60
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CMCM
Veteran Member
I decided to get a tripod a few months ago and researched like a demon, and went to see as many as I could. I had actually decided on something different when I saw this one in a camera shop. Pricey, but it has a fantastic feature set. I actually got mine at Adorama and I'd clicked to be notified if it went on sale. Not long after I got a notice that it was on special sale....I think around Black Friday...for $169 so I ordered it immediately. I am really happy with the tripod....very lightweight, easy as heck to adjust, folds up fairly short, very well made, and also works for all sorts of positions. Watch the video about it. Upshot is, I'd buy it again for sure.
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www.vanguardworld.us
The last time someone asked a similar question, the resident experts pushed the price into the $1000 to $1500 range implying that anything else is rubbish.
Be warned...
For moving subjects a ball and socket head can work well (suggestion above) , for static ones a 3D version could be better :
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...o3_3w_mt055xpro3_3w_aluminum_tripod_with.html
Be warned...
For moving subjects a ball and socket head can work well (suggestion above) , for static ones a 3D version could be better :
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...o3_3w_mt055xpro3_3w_aluminum_tripod_with.html
Ron Poelman
Veteran Member
Here's a start.....
1. Height - How high do I need (with a decent ball head)
2. Fastening method - Twist Lock or Screw ?
3. Number of sections per leg - How many can I be bothered with ?
4. Carrying Capacity - At least 1.5 times your likely worst case.
5. Weight. - How much can I be fagged carrying ?
6. Smarts - Does it come with a short column as well (for example) ? Does it pivot ?
7. Facility - How small does it pack down ?
8. Feet - does it come with spikes as well ?
9. Extras - does it come with a half decent cover/bag ?
10. Colour - coz it's important !
Tourlou
Senior Member
You forgot to mention the stiffness. The lady (hello again Labmom!) states that she would get a 500mm lens. To take pictures with a long lens, especially if light is scarce, you need a stiff one. I have a Manfrotto 190, which is good for most purpose, a Manfrotto 055 which is a taller, stiffer and heavier and finally, a carbon fiber Benro which is a beast. I use this one for night shots and long lenses. My longest lens is a 1000mm f/10 Russian catadioptric. You need a very stiff tripod/head to work with one of these.
For anything else that happens in daylight with lenses 300mm and less, I use the Manfrotto 190.
Another Ron
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Ron Poelman
Veteran Member
Too true, unfortunately there's no published measure for comparing them,
I was thinking of twice the carrying capacity as the yardstick, but it seemed a little OTT.
Some good replies so far... there is a lot to keep in mind.
I went through the process recently, and came across Sirui tripods... and wound up with a carbon fiber unit that, even when paired with a Manfrotto ball head (to keep using all the plates I already have), fits perfectly in more than one of my suitcases (and the case the tripod came with).
I took it to Hawaii and am quite pleased with my choice for ease of use, lightweight, stable, configurable, pack-ability, etc. Used it for sunrise shots on top of one volcano and Milky Way photos on the side of another.
https://www.sirui.com/sirui-photography-tripods.html
They have many different styles, heights, configurations, etc - even have options for one leg easily convertible into a mono-pod.
Price was attractive as well, even though it wasn't the main thing on my list.
Good luck hunting one down - lots of good choices out there. The effort will be worth it. Getting "stuck" with a tripod that doesn't fit your needs isn't fun.
Edit - I use it with my D750 and 14-24 2.8 and my 200-500 5.6 with equal satisfaction. Picking a good ball head (that can be almost as much money, unfortunately), will go a long way with being satisfied with the tripod itself.
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Always something to learn...
My DPreview Gallery: https://www.dpreview.com/galleries/3458159546
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Ellis Vener
Forum Pro
Reliable brand names to look for are : Manfrotto, Gitzo, Really Right Stuff, Pro Media Gear, maybe Feisol, Benro/Induro, Three Legged Thing.
Manfrotto, Benro/Induro, and Gitzo will be the easiest to find if there is a decent camera store in your city.
If you are in the USA, and it matters to you, Really Right Stuff and Pro Media Gear are manufactured in the USA.
Ideally these are the features you want:
The combined height of the Tripod, the tripod head, and the camera, should bring the camera's viewfinder should come up at least to your standing (not slumping, not bending over) eye level without using the center column, higher if you will be shooting birds or other objects that require you to look up.
A center column is nice to have when you need it but not necessary.
The legs should move independently of one another and be able to spread nearly flat.
Ounce for ounce, a carbon fiber legs are far stronger (some say 10x) stronger than a steel so the tripod will weigh less (but not 10x times less!). A lighter tripod with good lelock mechanisms will make you not mind carrying and using it. It will also will be roughly 40-60% more expensive. if Carbon Fiber interests you look for one that hasa 10x ply. Also keep in mind that not all carbon materials are not alike - there's cheap worthless cr#p and good high end carbon fiber. Invest in good CF and you'll be happy.
You probably want a ball type head. Get one that has an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release clamp which also means you will need A-S style QR plates for your cameras and lenses.
I'm not a brand warrior (but I do have very definite preferences based on my experiences with a lot of tripods and heads over the past 40 years) so my advice is: make sure you get to play with any tripod you are thinking about buying and not just take some stranger on an internet forum about brand or model to buy.
Manfrotto, Benro/Induro, and Gitzo will be the easiest to find if there is a decent camera store in your city.
If you are in the USA, and it matters to you, Really Right Stuff and Pro Media Gear are manufactured in the USA.
Ideally these are the features you want:
The combined height of the Tripod, the tripod head, and the camera, should bring the camera's viewfinder should come up at least to your standing (not slumping, not bending over) eye level without using the center column, higher if you will be shooting birds or other objects that require you to look up.
A center column is nice to have when you need it but not necessary.
The legs should move independently of one another and be able to spread nearly flat.
Ounce for ounce, a carbon fiber legs are far stronger (some say 10x) stronger than a steel so the tripod will weigh less (but not 10x times less!). A lighter tripod with good lelock mechanisms will make you not mind carrying and using it. It will also will be roughly 40-60% more expensive. if Carbon Fiber interests you look for one that hasa 10x ply. Also keep in mind that not all carbon materials are not alike - there's cheap worthless cr#p and good high end carbon fiber. Invest in good CF and you'll be happy.
You probably want a ball type head. Get one that has an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release clamp which also means you will need A-S style QR plates for your cameras and lenses.
I'm not a brand warrior (but I do have very definite preferences based on my experiences with a lot of tripods and heads over the past 40 years) so my advice is: make sure you get to play with any tripod you are thinking about buying and not just take some stranger on an internet forum about brand or model to buy.
Tourlou
Senior Member
Ron Poelman
Veteran Member
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a_c_skinner
Forum Pro
Depends what you want it for. If it is merely to keep the camera in the same position while you shoot some frames for focus stacking, HDR or rotate a panorama then that is very different from holding a long lens still enough for sharp frames on a windy day. If this latter then you are looking at something very expensive and heavy. Thom Hogan's article is here. I've given up on heavy tripods and accept the limitations of a £200 carbon tripod.
Chris Malcolm
Senior Member
Jonsi
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A couple thoughts beyond what has been mentioned...
1) Your tripod uses the Arca-Swiss style plate. If your next ball head uses the same plate, then you can just leave the connector plate attached to the camera and easily switch between tripods, if that is desirable. I use Manfrotto ball heads and leave the RC-2 plate attached. I can use the lever-release to remove it from my tripod and quickly snap it onto my monopod. Note that the Manfrotto plate won't work on your Bogen head.
2) if you shoot anywhere near a beach, avoid the twist-lock legs like the ones on your current tripod. A grain or two of sand in the threads can get annoying, and even keep you from locking firmly (I can vouch). I always use flip-lock legs. That way, the sand is moot, and they are a lot easier/quicker to set up/take down.
3) If you think you may want to get into macro photography someday, then consider a tripod with an adjustable center column that let's you set it to any angle, not just vertical.
I use the Vanguard Alta Pro 263. It's tall enough, only 4.5 pounds, adjustable column, clamp (flip) style locks, and quick to set up. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WKOENO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_w4xGAbBZGQ0EV
You will see "kits" available at that link, along with "legs only" for $129. Just know that the connector plates on those Vanguard heads do not fit your Bogen/Prima. Nor do they fit the Manfrotto RC-2. They are decent heads though.
This is the head I have on both my tripod and my monopod and it firmly holds a D7200 with Nikon 70-200/2.8
Manfrotto 496RC2 Ball Head with Quick release plate $68: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N5NRSC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_S-xGAb9F6X685
So in my opinion you could get a good system for just under $200, or as you know you can pay a lot more. My suggestion is just one, but there are a lot of good ones to be found on DPR.
If this will be your only tripod, then the quick-release connector plate style may not be an issue. The only time it pays off is if you switch between tripods/monopod. I went with Manfrotto for the quality and ease of connect/disconnect. Quicker for me than the Arca-Swiss.
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Thank you for all the information and recommendations. I’m going to start looking online at all the ones recommended and see what I can find, either new or used. One thing I didn’t realize was that you can swap out heads. What is more popular CF or aluminum?
If you plan to travel with it, then you have to make decisions based on portability -- but if you just want a good tripod to use around the house or carry in the car to venues -- check out your local Craigslist. Once carbon fiber came along, lots of photographers chose it for its lighter weight. And when they tried to sell their old aluminum/steel tripods, found there was little or no market; in some cases, the prices set on ebay and the costs of shipping exceeded the perceived value.
When buying a used tripod, it is important that you get to try it or get a seller to agree to pay the return shipping if the tripod has issues. Everything should operate smoothly and lock down tight (and release easily). If a tripod looks 'beat' it probably has been and should be avoided. Look for one that's been well cared for. As for choice of heads, for speed, a ball head is great -- but the good ones cost $$$ and depending on your style of shooting, you might find a traditional 3 way easier to control and more precise.
Since I don't 'trek' and don't carry a tripod unless I know I will need one for a specific shot, I am satisfied with my collection of Gitzo's (none of which are CF) and none of which could I sell for anything close to what they're worth (to me) or what it would cost to replace them with CF.
There are always lots of old (20+ year) tripods for sale on ebay. Look for one close to home and you may find a semi-retired photog with a great Linhof or Gitzo that suits your needs which needs to find a new home.
Here's a somewhat beat-up Linhof which might suit your needs
And a Gitzo that looks good:
For me, the most important aspect is whether the tripod is tall enough and stable enough when extended so as to put the camera at eye level (no stooping). A 65" person using a 55" tripod is guaranteed to be a pain in the back.
When buying a used tripod, it is important that you get to try it or get a seller to agree to pay the return shipping if the tripod has issues. Everything should operate smoothly and lock down tight (and release easily). If a tripod looks 'beat' it probably has been and should be avoided. Look for one that's been well cared for. As for choice of heads, for speed, a ball head is great -- but the good ones cost $$$ and depending on your style of shooting, you might find a traditional 3 way easier to control and more precise.
Since I don't 'trek' and don't carry a tripod unless I know I will need one for a specific shot, I am satisfied with my collection of Gitzo's (none of which are CF) and none of which could I sell for anything close to what they're worth (to me) or what it would cost to replace them with CF.
There are always lots of old (20+ year) tripods for sale on ebay. Look for one close to home and you may find a semi-retired photog with a great Linhof or Gitzo that suits your needs which needs to find a new home.
Here's a somewhat beat-up Linhof which might suit your needs
Loading…
www.ebay.com
And a Gitzo that looks good:
Loading…
www.ebay.com
For me, the most important aspect is whether the tripod is tall enough and stable enough when extended so as to put the camera at eye level (no stooping). A 65" person using a 55" tripod is guaranteed to be a pain in the back.
Gerry Winterbourne
Forum Pro
Plenty of good advice already. One thing not dealt with in any detail is the type of head - most seem to assume you'll go for ball and socket.
I hate B&S - I prefer to have separate adjustments for level in cross and fore/aft directions. I'm not saying you should agree with me but at least go to a store and try out both types before buying.
I hate B&S - I prefer to have separate adjustments for level in cross and fore/aft directions. I'm not saying you should agree with me but at least go to a store and try out both types before buying.
Jonsi
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Height is very important to me too, being 6'-4"
I would try to find the tallest tripod without extending the center pole, because once you do that the stability is lessened.
Just want OP to know that if a set of legs says 55"...once you add a head, then the camera, that's another 5" or 6" to the viewfinder.
Chris R-UK
Forum Pro
The problem is that load capacity is measured with the load centre of gravity exactly above the centre of the tripod and the head. I suspect that it is also measured on a hard level surface.
If you are going to use a big, heavy lens like a 500mm on a slope with the camera pointed either upwards or downwards then the danger is clearly of the tripod toppling over. AFAIK there are no standards for stability in this situation so the normal advice given is a minimum load capacity of 2x the maximum weight to be put on it and preferably 3x.
Personally, with a 150-500mm lens, I would play safe and go for tripod with a maximum load capacity of around 7-8kgs and preferably only 3 leg sections.
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